I'm sorry I'm behind on our blog entries. Life just doesn't seem to slow down to allow us to get caught up.
We made it through Thanksgiving despite all our trials, and were rewarded with a new stove and oven on Monday. It seems good to have something in which all four burners and the oven work.
The day after Thanksgiving, after District meeting, we celebrated with a shopping trip to look for a tree. We decided that since we would be here for two Christmas's, we would invest in a little holiday spirit. We found a small 4 1/2 foot tree with decorations. We bought a few extra to go on it as well. As I was undoing the decorations, I was thinking, "These are kind of cheesy, but oh well, it's a tree". When we got it put up, it really did look quite cute. We also found a little noise activated music box that plays, "Let it Snow"with Bing Crosby singing, and in the background, snow is falling down behind a glass as the lighting behind the glass changes colors. I told Lynn that would be the only snow we would see this Christmas.
We hurried to get it decorated because we were having a family over for Family Home Evening, because they are moving and we thought it would be fun to have it feel like Christmas amid all their packing. The oven people were there trying to install the oven, and the landlady was there to inspect things to make sure all was good. She is 85 years old and is still driving and pretty spry. They finished and started packing their tools to their truck and Lynn said, "Let's make sure it's working." They turned on the burners one by one. When they turned the second one, it tripped the breaker and they had to take the oven out and work on the wiring for another 45 minutes.
The oven was finally working, they left, and we finished decorating the tree after Lynn had to go exchange 2 sets of lights for ones that weren't flashing. We finished the decorating and got things ready for FHE. They were in awe at the feeling of Christmas. I don't think people do much for Christmas over here. After a flannel board lesson on Nephi building the ship, and keeping the commandments, we popped pop corn and strung garland of pop corn and red beads. They had fun doing it, even the 5 year old who is nearly blind was excited to be involved which surprised his mother. We had rice krispy treats for a treat. This family loves the gospel. Their 7 year old gave the prayer and it sounded about like something a General Authority would give. When they left, they asked if they could come again before they moved. Of course we said yes.
We had appointments almost every night with some of our inactive people. 3 of the 4 are coming out but we're still working on the 4th.
The Moss's came over last week to let us know they were going home early. They have a family situation at home where they are needed to help, so after talking to their Bishop and the Mission President, it was decided that it was best for them to leave early. They were to be finished in April. We are sad to hear that they will be leaving. We have become very close to them over the past nearly 3 months. We are even sadder that there is a problem at home that they need to help with. Because she had family here before Thanksgiving, she didn't get her set of placemats done. I knew that with all the early packing that needed to be done, she probably wouldn't have time to do them, so I offered. I worked on them during the weekend, as well as make 9 dozen cookies and a large pan of oatmeal fudge bars for the dessert for Zone Conference, as well as chicken spread for rolls to eat along the way.
We left early Monday morning for the 5 hour ride to Tzaneen for Zone Conference. We stopped at various sights along the way. The beauty was breath taking! It reminded me places in Dominica with its mountains, green foilage and rain forests in some areas. Just before arriving in Tzaneen, we turned on the GPS to find our way to the hotel. None of the satelites were working so after driving around for a bit and calling the hotel for directions, another Sr. couple called and we met and followed them to the hotel. We quickly changed clothes and freshened up to go to dinner with the Mission President and his wife, the Area President, Elder Renland of the Seventy and his wife and about 7 other senior couples. We had an enjoyable time until the flying termites started attacking us as we sat on the patio dining area. They were attracted to the light, and were coming in swarms. They were about 2-3 inches long. You couldn't just shoo them away. I was grabbing them with my napkin and squeezing the life out of them - 5 in a bunch - and Lynn was stabbing them with the his fork. What a sight. And with all the excitement, of course we didn't take time to get the camera out of his pocket to get a few snaps. The other end of the table was wondering what was going on! I guess our flying friends passed the word along to their friends and soon those that survived, decided to go to greener pastures. Good thing! Right after that, they brought our dinner, and we were able to enjoy it in peace!
We had a beautiful and inspirational conference the next morning. We started a 8:00 and went until 12:00 with a 10 minute break and one stretch time. Elder Renland brought a message from the First Presidency which was, "Thank You for what you are doing! Thank you for giving of your time and talents to spread the word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do the work that is needing to be done in this area of the world." It was very touching as he told how they select the place where you will serve. He said he had been there when they had assigned someone to an area, and several minutes later, the Apostle said, "Go back. That couple needs to be here, not there." I had the Spirit testify to me once again that this is where we are supposed to be, and that we have truly been called by the Lord through his Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.
After being taught and spiritually fed, we enjoyed a nice lunch by Elder and Sister Alder, they are over the Seminary and Institute Program in this Area. We took several pictures of our group and helped clean up. We had opted to stay over another night so we wouldn't have to be driving in the dark on the long drive back home. In this area there are alot of cattle and goats along the highway. In fact, the Moss' had hit a cow driving at night along these roads. We relaxed on the covered patio of the hotel. A short time later a hugh thunder storm came through and we were glad we weren't driving on unfamiliar roads in the dark.
At 6:00 the next morning, we received a text from our Primary President asking us if we were still in Tzaneen. If so, could we stop and give her husband a blessing. He and two of their children had the mumps and he was also experiencing severe stomach cramps and chest pains. We agreed to but told them that it would be later in the afternoon before would be there. When we arrived there, he didn't seem too bad, but Lynn and Elder Moss still gave him a blessing. Each day this week we have received a text saying that he was worse than the day before. He is experiencing some complications and was into the doctor again this morning. They gave him a different medication and said he would be down for another week.
Our Branch Christmas party was scheduled for Saturday morning. The mumps has seemed to spread to other children in the Branch, and in addition, our Branch President's wife was in Johannesburg with the loss of sight because a cornea transplant that they did 2 years ago was now being rejected by her body. This is the woman who we were helping with her and her baby who was in the hospital with pneumonia. Their little 4 year old also has the mumps. In liew of the mump outbreak and in consideration of the Branch President, the decision was made to postpone the party, until a later date. Some people were a little disgruntled by the decision, but it was recommended by Mission President Omer to postpone the Christmas social because of the mumps outbreak.
It was a good thing, because we still had to get the Primary room put back together after the painters had been there this week. Moss's were leaving Saturday and we needed to help with some last minute things for them. We were sad to see them leave. We are praying that we will get another couple here soon to help take care of the KaNyamazane Branch. If not, we may be driving there every other week to help them, and we already feel like we're drowning here. We just need more senior couples in the field to help. We will also have their set of missionaries to see about as well. We don't mind that. They are great workers. It just means that I'll be baking more cookies now, and be doing the Christmas Devotional and Brunch by myself. But that's not a problem, I'm used to large family crowds, and they are our family right now.
My rear end has gone to sleep, so that means I need to sign off and go see about something for dinner before we have to go give blessings to the family who came over for FHE. Her husband isn't a member and she wanted Lynn to give them all blessings before they leave. We will miss her. She is a very choice person who loves the Gospel and is so thankful for the blessing that it is in her life.
Take care and know that we love you and miss you all. Have fun getting ready for Christmas as you prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We love the work and are grateful for the opportunity to serve under such favorable circumstances.
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